Robby had forgotten what it was like to be hugged by his father. He remembers one time Johnny hugged him when he won a football tournament as a kid. But, that's been a long time.
Robby knew he could be making a mistake. He had already given his father a second chance and he blew it. Johnny could easily screw it up all over again. And Robby was tired of being let down by his father.
But, he couldn't go on like this. What he did to Kenny at the tournament... He would blame himself for the rest of his life.
Robby realized he needed to forgive his father in order to forgive himself.
They held each other for what seemed like an eternity until Robby released himself from Johnny's arms and began to wipe away his tears.
- I need to go to a party now.
- Yes, you deserve to celebrate. - Johnny smiled and put a hand on Robby's shoulder - But, son... When... If you want to, you know, get out of Cobra Kai... Eagle-Fang's doors are open for you, okay? I just want to make sure you know that.
Robby smiled shyly and waved.
- I know, dad.
As they were leaving the dojo, Robby heard the phone ring that Silver had given him.
It was a Tory call. He didn't hesitate to answer.
- Hey. I'm already going to Kyler's party.
Robby felt Johnny's gaze on him.
- Actually, I'm not at the party. I came straight home.
Robby found that strange. Shouldn't she be celebrating her victory?
- Did something happen to your mother?
- No. I just... Can you come here?
- Of course. I am going.
Something had happened. And Robby suspected that wasn't a good thing.
- Who was?
For a second, Robby forgot his father was there.
- Tory. Can you go drop me off at her house? It's a little far from here.
Johnny nodded with a wry smile.
- Yes, boy.
Robby was nervous, but he didn't know why.
Maybe from the conversation he'd had with Johnny a few minutes ago or Tory's voice on the
call.
Deep down, he knew he was nervous just going to Tory's house. Again.
Robby had already been to her house the prom night, but they weren't exactly talking in that moment. Well, at least not before he woke up the next morning to the smell of burnt pancakes and Tory fighting with her brother. He smiled to himself remembering Brandon questioning if he was her boyfriend.
- What's your deal with Tory? Are you guys dating or something?
Robby turned to his father with an incredulous expression.
- No! She's just... My friend.
- Well, Samantha told me that you went to the dance together and I thought you two were together.
- It was just a strategic measure to destabilize her and Miguel.
Johnny didn't believe him, but chose not to question him.
- Well, it really worked.
Robby was uncomfortable, so obviously there
was something there. Johnny smiled. Teenage love was a funny thing after all.
- It's that building on the corner.
Tory's building was a little shabby and poorly lit. But, it seemed peaceful enough. Johnny soon parked in front of the building.
- Thanks, dad.
- You're welcome, son. And use condoms.
Robby gasped.
- Dad.
Johnny raised his hands in surrender.
- It's just advice.
Robby rolled his eyes and got out of the car.
- Bye, dad.
- Bye, son.
Robby really hoped that opening up to his father wasn't a mistake. He was so tired of making mistakes.
Robby took a deep breath before knocking softly on Tory's apartment door.
Immediately, she opened the door. He doesn't have time to say anything before Tory hugs him.
Robby freezes for a second. He doesn't usually get many hugs, and this is already his second
today. He wraps his arms around Tory carefully.
- Hey... What happened?
Gradually, Tory freed herself from his arms, but she didn't meet his eyes. Robby noticed the tears in her eyes. She had cried. He deduced that she had bad news for him.
- Silver... He paid the judge for Cobra Kai to win.
- What?
That son of a bitch. Robby knew there was something very wrong with that guy.
- I saw them talking when I was going to Kyler's party. So I just wanted to come home.
A tear rolled down Tory's cheek and Robby hurried to wipe it away. Finally, she looked at him and Robby's heart broke. He had never seen that girl so vulnerable.
- You know this is not your fault, right?
- How is this not my fault, Robby? Of course it is. If I was really good enough, I would have won honestly.
Tory crossed her arms and looked down at the floor. Robby put his hands on her face to make her pay attention to him.
- Hey, look at me. Silver is a psychopath. The
only thing that matters to him is victory, no matter what the cost. You and I were just pawns in this game.
- That doesn't change the fact that I lost.
- You are still a champion to me.
Tory stared into his eyes and Robby's brain stopped for a few seconds. That sentence seemed so harmless in his mind, but now he realized he might have been too impulsive. He knew he was harboring feelings for Tory, but this wasn't exactly the right time to admit it to her.
Lucky for him, Tory just let out a light nasal laugh and rolled her eyes after a few seconds.
- Get in as soon as your brain is freezing out there.
Apparently, Tory didn't read between the lines or just let it go. Robby didn't know which was worse.
Anyway, Robby went to sit in a chair by the kitchen counter while Tory finished washing the dishes.
Tory's house was very small and simple, but it was home. Something unlike anything Robby had ever experienced. When he'd seen the
reciprocal connection and care Tory had for her brother and her mother, he'd longed to have that too.
- Is Brandon already asleep?
- Yes, thank God. I couldn't bear to have to tell him about All Valley. Will you want pizza?
Tory was obviously trying to change the subject and Robby wasn't going to insist on talking about it if she didn't want to.
- Is it pepperoni?
Tory snorted and Robby laughed.
- Yes, it's pepperoni.
- So, yes.
- It's in the fridge.
Robby got up and went to the fridge. When he saw a row of chocolates that were definitely for her brother, he decided to tease her one more time.
- Can I get a Nescau?
- No, it's for Brandon. Be satisfied with the pizza.
- Boring. - Robby whispered.
- I'm feeding you and I'm still offended?
Robby laughed.
As he was finishing the slice of pizza, Tory sat in
a chair next to him at the counter with a can of beer in her hand. Messages from Piper were arriving on her phone and Robby knew she had no intention of responding to them.
- She must be worried.
- Tomorrow I'll say I had a headache and that's why I didn't go to the party.
- Tory...
- I know it won't help to pretend that nothing happened. I just... I just want to deal with this tomorrow.
Robby turned to her.
- You know what we have to do.
Tory looked up at him with a mischievous smile plastered on her face.
- Us?
Robby mentally yelled at himself for one more slip before finally returning to his initial train of thought and saying:
- We have to leave Cobra Kai.
Tory's smile disappeared. She took a deep breath and took another sip of her soda.
- Yes, we have.
Robby knew he had to tell her about the
conversation he'd had with his father.
- I talked to my father.
Tory couldn't hide her surprise.
- When?
- I went to the dojo and he was there. He congratulated me on the fight.
- You really were incredible. And take off the gi in the middle of the fight? Very sexy.
Robby felt his face flush. Tory's sincerity would kill him someday.
- Thanks. In fact, he came to drop me off here. Anyway, he said he'd fix this situation with me.
- And you believe him?
Johnny had let Robby down so many times he'd already lost count. But now, it wasn't just about Robby.
- I have to. I blew it with Kenny today.
Tory took his hand.
- You can still fix this. And I'm not just saying about Kenny.
Robby really hoped so.
- Maybe. But, I can't do that if we stay in Cobra Kai.
Tory took another sip of her beer.
- Well, so let's train with your father.
Robby turned to her with furrowed brows and a smirk.
- Well, if we're going to leave Cobra Kai, we have to go to another dojo. And I refuse to go to Miyagi-Do.
- Us?
Robby was just teasing her, but Tory didn't roll her eyes or laugh. She just kept her gaze fixed on him and Robby felt butterflies in his stomach, cliché as that sounded.
- Yes, us.
Robby plucked up the courage to hold her face and kiss her deeply, as he'd wanted all night. Ever since the dance, he'd been addicted to Tory's lips. Honestly, Robby was addicted to Tory in general.
After a few seconds, she broke the kiss and leaned her forehead against his. For a brief period of time, they were just feeling each other's breath peacefully.
Then Robby heard Tory huff.
- I really need to deliver that stupid trophy to Sam tomorrow, don't I?
He laughed.
- You don't really need to do that.
- I have to. And you will talk to Kenny and Johnny.
She rose from her chair and he followed her with his eyes. Robby would die before he told Tory that, but she was incredibly hot when she was bossy. Honestly, Tory Nichols was the hottest girl he'd ever met.
- Well, since you insist.
- Don't pretend this wasn't in your plans. - She said while throwing the beer can in the trash.
- Actually, I had only planned to talk to Kreese.
- Well, add this to your list. Now, we have to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Tory was heading to her room. Robby belatedly realized that she was assuming he would stay.
- Do you want me to stay?
Tory turned to him with an expression he couldn't read.
- Well, it's past midnight and it's kind of dangerous for you to walk back to the dojo.
She was right and he knew it.
- So I'm going to sleep on the couch?
She turned to him again with a wry smile.
- I'm sure my couch is more comfortable than the dojo floor, but you'll sleep in my bed with me.
Robby remained frozen in place, afraid to cross a line too quickly. Tory could see his neurons exploding. She would find that cute if she weren't so tired.
- Please, Keene. It's not like you never slept there after all. And I swear I'll keep my hands to myself.
Tory's teasing snapped Robby out of his trance.
- I hope so.
Tory laughed and rolled her eyes.
- Don't pretend you didn't like that night.
When Robby didn't counter her comment, she was sure he was thinking about the prom night.
Damn, they really needed to talk about their relationship.
Tory yawned.
Maybe tomorrow they would.
But right now, all Tory wanted to do was fall asleep feeling Robby's breath on the back of her neck.
And that's exactly what she did.
